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S
I'm interested in what answers your going to get.
I can't think of any verse or passage that specifies either one.
But If you want to know what love is.
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
I can't think of any verse or passage that specifies either one.
But If you want to know what love is.
1 Corinthians 13
13 If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
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S
There might be some love examples in scripture. She could try reading Song of Songs, and see what she can glean from it.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song of Songs 1&version=NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Song of Songs 1&version=NIV
L
That particular type of love would more than likely fall under the category of "eros" or erotic love.
https://www.learnreligions.com/types-of-love-in-the-bible-700177
https://www.learnreligions.com/types-of-love-in-the-bible-700177
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One love story that I loved is Hosea , and I’ll explain why .
There I see a man ( prophet) obeying God and marrying a prostitute. God had a purpose on that , and he was trying to show us the king of love he have for us , never giving up on us , even when we turn our back on him. I can’t imagine this prophet pain seeing the woman that he rescue , loved , going over and over to other men . It’s a real love , like 1 cor 13 says , not self seeking , giving yourself away , not expecting nothing on return , and it’s hurtful sometimes seeing someone acting wrong with us . But is a love that I want to learn and to be able to have . So sometimes is not feeling , sometimes is a decision to stay and see God transformation in that person . See God using your pain to rescue someone. And how ourselves will be much more like Jesus after learning that and how much Glory the lord will receive and manifest in this situation
There I see a man ( prophet) obeying God and marrying a prostitute. God had a purpose on that , and he was trying to show us the king of love he have for us , never giving up on us , even when we turn our back on him. I can’t imagine this prophet pain seeing the woman that he rescue , loved , going over and over to other men . It’s a real love , like 1 cor 13 says , not self seeking , giving yourself away , not expecting nothing on return , and it’s hurtful sometimes seeing someone acting wrong with us . But is a love that I want to learn and to be able to have . So sometimes is not feeling , sometimes is a decision to stay and see God transformation in that person . See God using your pain to rescue someone. And how ourselves will be much more like Jesus after learning that and how much Glory the lord will receive and manifest in this situation
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I’m not single just browsing threads. Seems like a lot of posts that l are not dependent upon singleness though.
Love can be all of those things and more. We are biological beings and so every emotion you feel can also be captured through electrochemical signals. So when you feel love for someone your brain lights up releasing oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and things like norepinephrine. In addition to these biological issues we also see others that fall into instincts made up of both nature and nurture. We only have limited free will. Just like with hardwired instincts in other animals we also have the same. It’s the same reason why monarch caterpillars know immediately to go for the main rib veining to cut off the cardenolides to reduce the toxicity of eating the foliage or why happy dogs just shake their tails. The majority of our species scientifically and culturally desires a mate. Just basic evolutionary mechanisms of passing on our genetic material to offspring (multiplying).
But we also must consider the paradigms shaped by our god Yahweh reflected especially through his son Jesus. As Christians we have standards. As logical beings we also have standards. We know we must put out cash where our mouth is. That goes beyond just emotions and feelings into actions and even at times not making choices prematurely in the heat of chemicals and strong feelings. So even if someone has backstabbed us and even if we are angry we should be willing to prove our love through the ups and downs. So for me while feelings and emotions describe the biological aspect of love, they don’t explain the paradigm in how we reflect it back into the relationship.
Love can be all of those things and more. We are biological beings and so every emotion you feel can also be captured through electrochemical signals. So when you feel love for someone your brain lights up releasing oxytocin, dopamine, serotonin and things like norepinephrine. In addition to these biological issues we also see others that fall into instincts made up of both nature and nurture. We only have limited free will. Just like with hardwired instincts in other animals we also have the same. It’s the same reason why monarch caterpillars know immediately to go for the main rib veining to cut off the cardenolides to reduce the toxicity of eating the foliage or why happy dogs just shake their tails. The majority of our species scientifically and culturally desires a mate. Just basic evolutionary mechanisms of passing on our genetic material to offspring (multiplying).
But we also must consider the paradigms shaped by our god Yahweh reflected especially through his son Jesus. As Christians we have standards. As logical beings we also have standards. We know we must put out cash where our mouth is. That goes beyond just emotions and feelings into actions and even at times not making choices prematurely in the heat of chemicals and strong feelings. So even if someone has backstabbed us and even if we are angry we should be willing to prove our love through the ups and downs. So for me while feelings and emotions describe the biological aspect of love, they don’t explain the paradigm in how we reflect it back into the relationship.
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Both, neither or more
OP doesnt give us much options but 1 Corinthians 13 does tell us what love is and isnt.
It does NOT say in that passage that love is feeling, love is emotion, love is a decision
Instead it says love is kind, love is patient.
Kindess and patience arent really feelings or emotions as such (like happiness or joy)
Kindness and patience are also not really decisions though you can choose to be kind, as you can choose to be patient.
They are more like qualities or fruits of the spirit...
OP doesnt give us much options but 1 Corinthians 13 does tell us what love is and isnt.
It does NOT say in that passage that love is feeling, love is emotion, love is a decision
Instead it says love is kind, love is patient.
Kindess and patience arent really feelings or emotions as such (like happiness or joy)
Kindness and patience are also not really decisions though you can choose to be kind, as you can choose to be patient.
They are more like qualities or fruits of the spirit...
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1 Cor 7 makes it clear that if one has the gift of celibacy that it is beneficial to ministry to stay single. However if one chooses to marry they have not sinned. Therefore I would say this is biblical support that it is a choice. At least the kind of romantic love related to a motivation to marry.
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As we are told to love others as we love ourselves... that sounds more like a decision than a feeling.
Love's not a feeling
Oh we've got to learn
To get past the emotion
To the meaning of the word
Love's not a feeling
We can use and throw away
Lord give us the courage
To live it every day
Love's not a feeling
Oh we've got to learn
To get past the emotion
To the meaning of the word
Love's not a feeling
We can use and throw away
Lord give us the courage
To live it every day
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The two most referenced words for love used in the Bible is agape and philia. So selfless love and love of friendship are very important topics in scripture. I have read that eros isn't even found in scripture.
Love is both an action, a mixture of biological processes related to hormones, and the law of attraction as in if you mentally focus on the physique
of an individual then you very likely will start feeling attracted to such an image.
Biblically we are told to even love our enemies. How is this achieved? Through prayer and dedication to such thoughts. Prayer is not only seeking the help of God but it actually lights up parts of the brain that helps us renew our minds. Neuroplasticity is evidence of this.
Engaging in 12 minutes of personal reflection and prayer each day makes a profound impact on our brain. It strengthens a unique neural circuit that specifically enhances our social awareness and empathy and helps us love our neighbor by developing a heightened sense of compassion and subduing negative emotions. -https://www.westmont.edu/how-faith-and-prayer-benefit-brain
So in many ways than one suggests love is not only an action physically but also mentally. We can choose to love or choose to hate.
Love can be embraced or suppressed. For example, a mother during pregnancy produces hormones that support bonding and encourage love but unfortunately some can suppress those feelings and still have an abortion.
Love is verb and expects action. How do we love with no action? Even if the feeling isn't there we are still commanded to love. Ironically though to act in love often creates the feeling of love.
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C
There's many anecdotes in the Bible that show they all flow into each other. The Lord Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane prior to His capture felt dread at the thought of being separated from the Father, and His emotional state sank into the depths of despair. However, out of His love for all of mankind and His want to please the Father irrespective of the cost, He made a decision to allow Himself to be captured and to suffer the abuse, torture, crucifixion, and death that He knew were to follow.
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All the above and more. Love is a person and happens to be the most infinitely complexed person. God is love. So love is making a decision to forgive. Love covers a multitude of sins. I will remove thy sins as far as the east is from the west. Love is also a emotion the Lord thy God is a jealous God. Love is action and can't help but bear it own fruit. For God so loved he gave. When you love you can't help but give. Anyone who has been in that first love state recalls how everything ya saw reminded you of that person and how you would buy just little thoughtful things to give to them. Which is just where God wants us to be in that first love stage always. His rebuke of the church of Ephesus was that they had left their first love and to repent and return to it. Reason being is the bible is plain God has never since before the foundation of the world to forever left his first love for us. He wants us to be like him cause love is a person.
Love is also our greatest witness. By this shall all men know you are my disciples because you love one another. Candlesticks we know are not hid, but made to shine light. Which God is as well he is light. So when we love we become a witness of faith because we shine and others will see and know we are different. So love is the most complex undefinable for us because it is a person who is the most complex and undefinable to us.
Ultimately we know that love is what will exist and what will remain because as we are made over into him and his nature. What remains is the eternal and love is eternal because love is a person and he is eternal. Love is everything we can use to define it and more because love is a person and that person is God. Which just happens to be the only infinite person there is. So love is infinite when we try and explain it. So love just is all because I am that I am. So yes love is a decision and love is a emotion and love is so much more from forever to forever and all in-between.
Love is also our greatest witness. By this shall all men know you are my disciples because you love one another. Candlesticks we know are not hid, but made to shine light. Which God is as well he is light. So when we love we become a witness of faith because we shine and others will see and know we are different. So love is the most complex undefinable for us because it is a person who is the most complex and undefinable to us.
Ultimately we know that love is what will exist and what will remain because as we are made over into him and his nature. What remains is the eternal and love is eternal because love is a person and he is eternal. Love is everything we can use to define it and more because love is a person and that person is God. Which just happens to be the only infinite person there is. So love is infinite when we try and explain it. So love just is all because I am that I am. So yes love is a decision and love is a emotion and love is so much more from forever to forever and all in-between.
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L
I don't normally go to the movies, but I recently saw the movie "Redeeming Love" four times, which is loosely based on the book of Hosea.
It's a sobering movie to watch in that it doesn't pull any punches as far as showing how evil people can be.
At the same time, however, we really catch a glimpse of God's love for us in the midst of said evil.
It's a sobering movie to watch in that it doesn't pull any punches as far as showing how evil people can be.
At the same time, however, we really catch a glimpse of God's love for us in the midst of said evil.
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Love does not envy
how bout that
have you ever felt envious of someone, like you wanted what they had? So much that you actually wanted to I dont know, MARRY them?
lol
Jesus actually never married anyone on earth.
Paul was saying if you burn with desire for a virgin, sure you can marry, but you would do better not to marry her and let her be free...that is showing love, because then you wont bind her exclusively to yourself. That is respect.
men dont always get this, they tend to think if I dont marry her, someone else will. marriage wasnt necessarily about love, a lot of marriages are just couples living together out of necessity they dont actually LOVE each other
If you read 1 Corinthians 7 near the end of the chapter it explains it all. mostly its about really avoiding fornication BY marrying. Marriage, by design means you are just with ONE person until you die.
of course good marriages are where the two people love each other,,,i.e are kind and patient with each other
but theres plenty of marriages where kindness and patience are totally absent.
so being married isnt actually guarantee that you will be loved by your spouse. However, kindness and patience are things you can give to everyone, not just your spouse.
how bout that
have you ever felt envious of someone, like you wanted what they had? So much that you actually wanted to I dont know, MARRY them?
lol
Jesus actually never married anyone on earth.
Paul was saying if you burn with desire for a virgin, sure you can marry, but you would do better not to marry her and let her be free...that is showing love, because then you wont bind her exclusively to yourself. That is respect.
men dont always get this, they tend to think if I dont marry her, someone else will. marriage wasnt necessarily about love, a lot of marriages are just couples living together out of necessity they dont actually LOVE each other
If you read 1 Corinthians 7 near the end of the chapter it explains it all. mostly its about really avoiding fornication BY marrying. Marriage, by design means you are just with ONE person until you die.
of course good marriages are where the two people love each other,,,i.e are kind and patient with each other
but theres plenty of marriages where kindness and patience are totally absent.
so being married isnt actually guarantee that you will be loved by your spouse. However, kindness and patience are things you can give to everyone, not just your spouse.
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